osmosis

[ oz-moh-sis, os- ]

noun

1. Physical Chemistry, Cell Biology.
   1. the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
   2. the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions. Compare endosmosis, exosmosis.
2. a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling:

   He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis.

osmosis

/ ɒzˈməʊsɪs; ɒzˈmɒtɪk; ɒs-; ɒs- /

noun

1. the passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated to a more concentrated solution until both solutions are of the same concentration
2. diffusion through any membrane or porous barrier, as in dialysis
3. gradual or unconscious assimilation or adoption, as of ideas

osmosis

/ ŏz-mō′sĭs /

1. The movement of a solvent through a membrane separating two solutions of different concentrations. The solvent from the side of weaker concentration usually moves to the side of the stronger concentration, diluting it, until the concentrations of the solutions are equal on both sides of the membrane.
2. ◆ The pressure exerted by the molecules of the solvent on the membrane they pass through is called osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is the energy driving osmosis and is important for living organisms because it allows water and nutrients dissolved in water to pass through cell membranes.

osmosis

1. The seeping of a fluid through a seemingly solid barrier, such as a cell wall or a rubber sheet. When the concentration of the fluid is the same on both sides of the barrier, osmosis stops.

Notes

Informally, “osmosis” is the process by which information or concepts come to a person without conscious effort: “Living in Paris , he learned French slang by osmosis.”

Derived Forms

• osˈmotically, adverb
• osmotic, adjective

Other Words From

• os·mot·ic [oz-, mot, -ik, os-], adjective
• os·moti·cal·ly adverb
• nonos·motic adjective
• nonos·moti·cal·ly adverb
• unos·motic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of osmosis¹

First recorded in 1865–70; Latinized form of obsolete osmose, extracted from endosmose endosmosis ( def ), exosmose exosmosis ( def ), from French, equivalent to end- end-, ex- ex- ² + Greek ōsm(ós) “a push, thrust” + French -ose -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of osmosis¹

C19: Latinized form from osmose (n), from Greek ōsmos push, thrust

Example Sentences

I can’t talk about it without hitting a nerve, stoking whatever was the latest conspiracy theory he adopted through Fox News osmosis.

From Slate

Pitcher filters are simple, but their long-term cost can be higher than that of adsorption or reverse osmosis filters installed under the sink.

From Salon

I’ve inherited some things through osmosis but, by and large, I didn’t know the first thing about Judaism — even having been bar mitzvahed, having played Jewish characters before.

From Los Angeles Times

Reverse osmosis also would work.

From Los Angeles Times

Typically, he added, they can be treated using activated carbon and reverse osmosis.

From Los Angeles Times